Remembering and Honouring Members of the Local Fire Service and Civilians who died during the bombing raid on the 3rd January 1943

In our church on January the 3rd this year we commemorated and honoured the firefighters who died in the bombing raid over Shanklin. 11 firefighters and two dispatch riders (the youngest of whom was only 16 years old), died and were among the unsung heroes of the war. They were resting in the Gloster House Hotel during the raid that took their lives. Six firefighters were injured and, four other innocent civilians died.  During the same raid the Sacred Heart Catholic Church took a direct hit killing six worshipers and the parish priest. In all, twenty-three lives were lost in that one act of violence. We remembered those men and women who lost their lives in selfless acts of bravery and the men and women of the fire and rescue service of today who still selflessly put themselves at risk to save and serve the lives of others.

In honoured memory of those that lost their lives, by enemy action, in the air raid on Shanklin on Sunday 3rd January 1943. National Fire Service Personnel Robert William Attrill (Age 16), Alfred Bucahanan Brown (Age 36), David Cohen (Age 35), Ivor Chareles Day (Age 39),Lawrence Desmond Eldridge (Age 17), Harry Glantzspigel (Age 32), Edward Francis Harris (Age 48), Thomas John Healey (Age 38), Ruby May Howard (Age 49), Leslie Howard Jacobs (Age 39), Edward James Kingswell (Age 34), Percy James Sheath (Age 38). Civilians Eva Cheetham (Age 70), Leslie Frank Drudge (Age 29), Florence Mabel Hookey (Age 30), Stella Frances Hookey (Age 4), Mary Clare Joseph Mclaughlin (Age 60), Rosemary Frances Poulter (Age 16),Mary Agnes Redie-Fraser (Age 71), Harry Rogers (Age 64), Helena Katre Rogers (Age 66), Emily Mary Dale West (Age 55), Nina Frances Wright (Age 35).